The Like Minds Big reTHiNK: Cast, Crew & Director Guidelines
Outline
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Introduction
The Challenge to You
Why Get Involved?
Process & Timeline
Judging and Awards Information
How to Get Involved
Guidelines for Cast, Crew & Directors
Terms and Conditions
Contact Us
→ Please note: For the purposes of this project, all creative contributions/submissions will be called
Scripts. Depending on the genre, different creative contributors will be used to referring to their
work in different terms, but for the purposes of this project, the term Script will refer to any
complete written submission of creative work from any genre, for production by reTHiNK Event
Organisers, cast and crew.
Introduction
We need your help to create a global series of mind-altering events THIS OCTOBER!
The Like Minds Big reTHiNK dares creative people from around the world to submit entertaining, engaging
and thought provoking “scripts” for a public event that reduces the stigma associated with mental illness /
unwellness / distress / being human. The best scripts will receive a Big reTHiNK Script Award designed by
New Zealand Sculptor Frank Woodward, be professionally produced for The Big reTHiNK event at Q Theatre
on the 2nd to the 6th of October 2012 and be published in The Big reTHiNK book. All remaining scripts that
have met the challenge will go into a pool to be provided to registered Regional Event Organisers around the
world for the production of local reTHiNK events from the 7th – 30th October 2012.
Directors, actors and crew members can sign up to attend casting calls for Regional reTHiNK Events in their
area or The Big reTHiNK in Auckland to help stage events all over New Zealand and beyond.
The outcome is a month of mind-altering events that improve public attitudes as much as they entertain.
The Challenge to You
Perform, direct or help backstage with a reTHiNK ‘script’ that encourages audiences to accept
mental unwellness as a normal, common experience that can be understood and overcome. Every
style of performance is welcome from theatre or dance to music or comedy and everything between.
Put yourself forward for the selection process in your area and/or for The Big reTHiNK at Q Theatre
using the expression of interest form. If you have already been selected by a Regional Event Organiser
to perform in or direct their event, you will still need to submit an expression of interest form. People
submitting an expression of interest to audition as a performer will be advised of the relevant casting
Why Get Involved?
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To be part of a world-first series of events
To connect with audiences, and industry professionals from all over the globe.
To increase your profile as a performance professional.
For the opportunity to hone your craft as a performer, director or crew member
To contribute to positive social change in New Zealand and beyond
To get to know creative people in your area
For the chance to work at New Zealand’s newest theatre for The Big reTHiNK in Auckland and as
a director or performer potentially win one of The Big reTHiNK Audience Choice Awards
Process & Timeline
Please see the table of Dates and Milestones for 2012 in The Like Minds Big reTHiNK General
Information Pack.
Judging & Awards Information
All Expressions of Interest and Script Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of Like Minds
consultants to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for participation. Like Minds, Like Mine is a
large network and we want as many people as possible to be a part of reThiNK so in fairness to
everyone involved, all creative submissions are to be de-identified by our independent script
consultant before going to our selection panel.
Expressions of Interest are welcome from all people, anywhere, including Like Minds, Like Mine
providers and staff at Mind and Body Consultants and The Mental Health Foundation of New
Zealand. Approved Expressions of Interest will be forwarded onto Regional Event Organisers to
make their own independent decision about who will direct or perform or help with their event.
The Big reTHiNK Audience Choice Awards will be presented at the Awards Gala on the 6th of October
for the Best Show (Director), Best Performer, Best Film and Best Visual Art as voted by The Big
reTHiNK audiences at Q Theatre from 2nd – 5th of October. Only performers and directors for The Big
reTHiNK at Q Theatre are eligible for these awards.
The People’s Choice Award for Best Regional reTHiNK Event will be awarded at the end of October
following an online voting process open to audiences anywhere a reTHiNK Event is taking place.
Everyone involved in The Big reTHiNK at Q Theatre other than those on our selection panel will be eligible for
The Big reTHiNK Awards. The selection panel will be made public on the website before judging.
How to Get Involved:
→ Read the Guidelines for Cast, Crew & Directors and the General Information Pack to the end.
→ Complete and Submit an Online Expression of Interest
→ Attend an Audition or Interview when Contacted by a Regional Event Organiser in your area
Guidelines for All Directors, Cast and Crew
The goal of The Like Minds Big reTHiNK is to help the community accept mental unwellness as a
normal, common experience that can be understood and overcome. Please ensure that you keep
this aim in mind when directing, performing or helping back stage – every aspect of the production is
important.
1. Present a Destigmatising Performance: Performers , crew members and directors must ensure
they present the scripts in a destigmatising manner that avoids confirming any negative
stereotypes about unwellness. This means all contributions to the project must enable scripts to
be presented as professionally as possible in all respects, from sets, sound and lighting to
performance style and direction. All Expressions of Interest will be assessed by the Like Minds,
Like Mine Panel to ensure that performers and directors are motivated to share a destigmatising
message before being selected for either the Regional reTHiNK event or The Big reTHiNK. The
Like Minds Big reTHiNK General Information Pack contains a useful list of what is and is not
considered destigmatising. All contributors will need to familiarise themselves with the
information at www.outoftheirminds.co.nz/?page_id=17. This page outlines the Like Minds, Like
Mine understanding of mental unwellness, which all contributions to this project must embody.
Like Minds consultants and partners will attend rehearsals and provide feedback to directors and
actors to help ensure that all performances reduce the stigma and discrimination associated
with mental unwellness.
2. Follow the Submitted Script: All performers and directors must ensure that scripts are followed
accurately, including the portrayal of the described characters. No changes can be made to the
script or character descriptions without the prior permission of the author and the approval of
the Like Minds team.
3. Entertain the public: All performances for The Like Minds Big reTHiNK will be entertaining.
Entertainment does not mean that the performance has to be humorous or light-hearted, but
that it must engage. Crew members take a key role in creating an entertaining event, by
ensuring that shows are produced smoothly on the night without disruptions.
4. Be Family Friendly: All performances must be suitable for a family audience, including children.
This means that there can be no nudity, coarse language or graphic sexual or violent content.
5. Follow the guidelines set out by Suicide Prevention in New Zealand (SPINZ): It is recommended
that all contributors make themselves familiar with SPINZ Guidelines in order to prevent
triggering vulnerable audience members. This is important for crew members as well as
performers and directors. Lighting and sound are important areas for crew members to take
care with, as these can create particularly intense experiences. Material that mentions specific
cases, people or suicide methods cannot be eligible for inclusion. Read from page 4 of the
Suicide in the Media booklet on the SPINZ website:
www.spinz.org.nz/file/downloads/pdf/file_50.pdf
6. Respect and Maintain Privacy: If scripts are inspired by real events, real services or real people,
no identifying information can be included in the performance. It is common for people to write
about their own experiences, but it is important to protect the identities of their friends, familymembers, service-providers and other supporters. This is especially important for anyone
involved in promotional activities or the creation of event programmes to take note of.
Terms and Conditions
1. Permission to be Filmed and Photographed: By making an expression of interest in performing, directing
or crewing for The Like Minds Big reTHiNK you agree to give permission to the Like Minds, Like Mine team
to photograph and/or film you/your performances.
2. Permission for Publication: By submitting an expression of interest you agree that photographs or film
footage of your performance or material produced for the project may be published on DVD, on the
internet or in The Big reTHiNK book.
3. Travel and Accommodation Costs: By indicating your interest to participate in production in any capacity
you agree to pay for all travel and accommodation costs you incur. Please clearly indicate via your
expression of interest what regions you wish to be considered for.
4. Copyright: Events in any category may not contain any material may impinge copyright. Script-writers
have given permission for you to perform their work for The Like Minds Big reTHiNK during the month of
October 2012 only. The inclusion of any additional material such as music or visual projections must use
content that does not infringe upon the copyright of its creator.
5. Participation Guarantees: Your eligibility as a potential performer, director or crew-member does not
guarantee that you will be selected as a director or performer in your area. A production decision is to be
made by independent Regional reTHiNK Event Organisers. Your expression of interest will be provided to
them when they register.
6. Consultation: A Like Minds approved consultant will attend your rehearsals and provide feedback and
advice to ensure your final event is destigmatising. By submitting an Expression of Interest you agree to
commit to the consultation process and adapt aspects of your direction or performance to fit the advice
given by your Like Minds approved consultant as needed.
7. Payment: Director, crew and performer fees differ from Regional Event to Regional Event, depending on
their available production budget. Directors and Performers selected for The Big reTHiNK at Q Theatre will
receive an equal proportion of the profits from ticket-sales for the event. Regional Events may request
volunteer directors and performers, offer them a similar portion-of-ticket-sales arrangement or pay a set
fee, depending on their budget. By making an Expression of Interest you indicate that you understand and
accept that payment is not guaranteed for all performers and directors.
8. Conflicts of Interest: Anyone is invited to sign up as a crew member, performer or director including Like
Minds, Like Mine providers. Like Minds, Like Mine providers participating in events will not be eligible for
The Big reTHiNK prizes.
9. Accountability: As a director, performer or crew member participating in The Big reTHiNK , you will report
to your Regional Event Organiser for instruction, rehearsal schedules, show times and pack-in schedules.
The Like Minds team will primarily communicate with your Regional Event Organiser to relay information
to you.
Contact Us
Like Minds, Like Mine Team, Mind and Body Consultants Ltd
www.rethink.org.nz | (09) 630 5909 ext 870 | Email: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/groups/302049593178789